As a way of protecting the clot that has formed, during the first 24 hours following your extraction, you should ...

1. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting. These activities may dislodge the clot.Stay away from hot liquids (soup, coffee) because they tend to dissolve blood clots.

2. Minimize air pressure differences.You should also avoid creating air pressure variations in your mouth, or pressure differences between your mouth and your sinuses (in the case of an upper tooth extraction) because these events may dislodge the blood clot from its socket.

This means you should avoid smoking or using a straw (these activities create suction). Also, don't blow your nose. And if you need to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open.

Dental implants can be a permanent way of replacing missing teeth, but they are not maintenance free. While the dental implant itself and the dental crown covering the implant are not susceptible to decay, the gums and surrounding tissue must be kept healthy.